Pittsburgh Steelers Team Review & Playoff Preview

The No. 1 defense in the NFL has carried the Pittsburgh Steelers into the playoffs with an AFC first-round bye

Pittsburgh Steelers: Overview
Fans with Pittsburgh Steelers playoff tickets in 2008 saw their tough team go down to the hardy Jacksonville Jaguars in a classic game. The Pittsburgh Steelers hit the 2008 regular season running, however, and quickly established their defensive dominance once again. The return of strong safety Troy Polamalu has proven to be the key that has brought the Pittsburgh Steelers defense back to the days of the “Steel Curtain” with the No. 1 total defense in the NFL.

The Pittsburgh Steelers pounded their competition in 2008 with a 12-4 record, made more impressive with six wins and zero losses in the AFC North. Fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets loved the absolute blowout their team dumped on the New England Patriots, and the clutch win over the Dallas Cowboys was another season highlight. With a first-round bye to sit through, fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets will have to eye the Wild Card closely to see who their first playoffs opponent will be.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Offense
After hosting a powerful air attack in 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers returned to “Steeler Football” with a tough running game. QB Ben Roethlisberger keeps defenses honest with his huge arm and good game management. WRs Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes complement each other perfectly with possession skills and speed respectively. The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has also solidified its pass blocking.

Even though first-round pick RB Rashard Mendenhall went down with injury early, fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets found an RB to rally behind in Mewelde Moore. The combination of Mewelde Moore and starter “Fast” Willie Parker in the backfield allows the Pittsburgh Steelers to utilize different formations and keep a fresh pair of legs on the field. The beefy Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has excelled at crushing front sevens in the running game all year.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Defense
Fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets expect dominating defense, and they got it in 2008 in levels they could not predict. With legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau calling zone blitzes from the 3-4 set, the Pittsburgh Steelers have racked up 48 sacks, with OLBs James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley combining for 27.5 of them. NT Casey Hampton occupies up to three blockers at once and makes the defense run in the trenches. SS Troy Polamalu is the key to the Pittsburgh Steelers defense with his blitzing and ballhawking skills.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Special Teams
The Pittsburgh Steelers have used a revolving door of return men at their kick return position with RB Gary Russell emerging as the primary returner. The great defense means that the kick-return man sees little action. WR Santonio Holmes sees much more time as the punt-return specialist. Though it may not sell many Pittsburgh Steelers tickets, the coverage on kicks and punts is outstanding. K Jeff Reed and P Mitch Berger have each been on fire in the regular season and complement the ball-control philosophy perfectly.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Playoffs
A first-round bye means that not only with the Pittsburgh Steelers have a chance to get healthy, but they will also welcome the Wild Card winner into Heinz Field. With thousands of fans with Pittsburgh Steelers playoff tickets and a sea of terrible towels, no team is looking forward to traveling to the cold and windy Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Steelers flexed their muscles by shutting out AFC North rivals the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.

Pittsburgh Steelers playoff tickets showcase a defense that hasn’t been seen since the Baltimore Ravens nearly a decade ago. No QB is safe from the zone-blitzes, and a waiting Troy Polamalu makes the pass almost impossible. Big Casey Hampton up front makes the run even less-appealing for offenses. If defense really wins championships, then fans with Pittsburgh Steelers playoff tickets better get ready to track down some Super Bowl tickets to boot.